No ground forces take part in Russian military operation in Syria — Kremlin

Nov 17, 2015

TASS

Taking part in the military operation in Syria are only Russian planes, but no ground forces, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.

Taking part in the military operation in Syria are only Russian planes, but no ground forces, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.

Asked about further operations by Russian military in Syria he said: "President Putin has said more than once that Russia will confine itself to the air component. A ground operation is ruled out."

"I would like to recall that Russia’s air group supports the Syrian Armed Forces in their offensive," Peskov said.

He avoided answering the question if Putin had notified the G20 leaders about Russia’s plans for stepping up air strikes against terrorist positions in Syria and earned their support.

"I can't answer your question," he said.

The topic of struggle against terrorism was one of the central ones at the G20 summit in Antalya on November 15-16. Putin attended the forum and held a series of bilateral contacts with foreign leaders on the sidelines of the event.